Gerald Albright -- jazz saxophonist, recording artist and multi-instrumentalist -- was as much a humorist as he was a musician during his performance Aug. 1 at Wildwood Park for the Arts in west Little Rock. He attempted to pass himself off as 30 before 'fessing up and proclaiming himself an AARP member.
But he also got down to the serious business of making music. Albright, whose substitute keyboardist for the evening was Little Rock's Dre Franklin, took about 500 audience members "on a music journey," starting with "G and Lee" and "Bermuda Nights" before switching to instrumental versions of such R&B hits as "So Amazing," "My My My," "Close to You," "Anniversary," "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" and "Champagne Life" as well as the bluesy "Georgia on My Mind." He got audience members up and dancing on several numbers including "Before I Let Go."
The concert wrapped up the fifth annual A Work of Art, a week-long fundraiser for Art Porter Music Education. Prior to the show, guests gathered in a reception room for hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
Pamela Smith, longtime master of ceremonies, got the evening started with remarks and the presentation of a special tribute to late local saxophonist Gerald Johnson. Madison Moline, a Conway High School graduate and the organization's newest scholarship recipient, gave her thanks during a brief speech.
Prior to Albright's appearance, members of the organization's Minors in Music program for musically gifted Arkansas students served up a major performance featuring violin wunderkind Lexington Porter, Matthew Means on keytar, Joshua Fletcher on keyboard and talk box, Evan Milton on bass, D'Shawn Lamkin on drums, and 13-year-old percussionist Keith Bates, the youngest Minor in Music. Program director Danny Fletcher later took the stage with his saxophone to perform with the students.
A Work of Art week began with a July 27 kickoff at City Hall; a July 28 Jazz on the Plaza performance by Minors in Music at the River Market; the July 29 performance of FingerPrints and vocalist Candy Williams at Cajun's Wharf; the July 30 performance of vocalist Cynthia Scott at Club Sway; and a July 31 Porter Players Jam at The Afterthought.
High Profile on 08/09/2015